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September 3, 1898.]
it will be seen that the house in which a compradore is employed serves only as an instrument of the latter for speculation. In reply to the question why such a costly functionary should not be dispensed with the Consul says it is impossible, that the compradores' guild is the richest and most powerful in China, and that no foreign firm can afford to disregard it or try to do business otherwise than through the com- pradore. Perhaps the Consul has slightly exaggerated the position and power of the compradore, but he is right in the main, and if foreign firms could shake themselves free of the incubus they would no doubt be greatly relieved. It was the compradores of Hongkong, it will be recollected, who were the strongest opponents of the abolition of the squeeze system as applied to foreign trade in the Two Kwang. Under present conditions, holding the position they do, they will always place their own interests before those of their nominal employers, and the two are sometimes, as in the instance just cited, antagonistic. While it may not be feasible or convenient for foreign firms to dispense altogether with their compradores, it should certainly be their aim to render themselves as independent of them possible.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
as
On 29th August a meeting of the Hong. kong Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber at the Government Offices, there being present --
His EXCELLENCY the ACTING GOVERNOR, Major-Geberal BLACK, C.B. (Officer Com- manding the troops).
Hon. T. SERCOMBE Colonial Secretary).
SMITH (Acting
Hon. W. M. GOODMAN (Attorney-General). Hon. R. MURRAY RUMSEY (Harbour Master). Hon. F H. MAY, C.M.G. (Captain Super- intendent of Police).
Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Acting Colonial Treasurer)
Hon. R. D. ORMSBY (Director of Public
Works).
Hon. C.P. CHATER, C.M.G. Hon. Ho KAI.
Hon. E.R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.
Hon J. J. BELL-IRVING. Hon WÉI A YUK.
Mr. J. G. T. BUCKLE (Clerk of Councils). MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting wers read and adopted as a correct record.
FINANCIAL MINUTES,
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table financial minutes Nos. 12 and 13, and on his motion, seconded by the ACTING COLO- NIAL TREASURER, they were referred to the Finance Committee.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and on his motion, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, the same was adopted.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
from 7 to 9 per cent." This resolation has been rendered necessary owing to the extension lately of the water mains at Shaukiwan and the consequent increase in the area which is sup- plied with water. At present part of the area included in the boundaries I have indicated pays uine per cent.-seven per cent. on the ordinary assessment and two per cent. for water. The resolution I propose will render it possible to recover water rate from all the area now sup- plied with water.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY secouded. Carried.
THE NATURALISATION OF ALIENS. On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance authorizing the imposition of fees for the naturalization of aliens naturalized as British subjects within the limits of Hongkong was passed.
THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE, 1890. On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to further amend the Magistrates Ordinance, 1890, was passed.
NATURALISATION ORDINANCES,
On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL | seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance for the naturalization of LO CHUNG PAK. alias LO YUN POON, alias Lo S¬AU-U, was passed. On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordin- ance for the naturalization of CHAN LI CHOY, alias CHAN CHUN CHUEN, was passed.
The Bill passed through Committee and was read a third time.
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quired on account of the increased consumption of water in the hill district and the enhanced price of coal required to pump it, and also in consequence of the making of new filter beds on Bowen road and on account of an extra- ordinary leakage repair made to the Pokfulam service reservoir. The second item is required ou account of the retaining wall constructed east of Plantation road station, it having been found necessary to use cement rather than lime.
morlar.
C
Tho vote was agreed to. The proceedings then terminated.
SUPREME COURT.
30th Angust:
IN ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE SIR JOHN CARRINGTON (CHIEF JUSTICE.)
CLAIM FOR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL.
Twenty-five Filippinos, forming the crew of the Spanish ship Isidoro Pons, sued the owners of the said ship for damages for wrongful dis- missal.
Mr. Pollock (instructed by Messrs. Wilkin- son and Grist) appeared for plaintiff and Mr. Francis (instructed by Messrs. Deacon and Hastings) for defendants.
Mr. Pollock read the petition and answers in the suit. From the petition it appeared that a verbal agreement was entered into that the ressel should only ply round and about the different ports in the Philippines. In April, however, the vessel came to Hongkong and she went into dock. About the 30th May the cap- On the motion of the ATTORNEY GENERAL, tain, in breach of the agreement as to wages, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, informed plaintiffs that while the vessel was in the second reading of the Bill entitled an Or-dock they would only receive half pay. This dinance for the Naturalization of Leung Luk, they refused to accept, whereupon he paid them alias Leung Clienug Soy, was passed.
their wages up to 31st May and discharged them, at the same time giving each a document which alleged that the consent of the Spanish Consul to their discharge had been obtained. Defendants had since admitted that this was not sa.
The Bill passed through committee. On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Li Chung, alias Li Chau Shing, was passed.
The Bill passed through committee. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said-I do not Propose that this Bill be read a third time to-day. Dr. Ho Kai thinks further enquiries should be made before the Bill is passed. Under these circumstances I propose that the third reading of this Bill and of the previous Bill be deferred pending the result of the en- quiry. I do not think there will be any difficulty.
ADJOURNMENT,
The Council then adjourned until the 12th of September.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted as a correct record.
T
The following recommendation of H. E. the Acting Governor was submitted: To rote a sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) in aid of the following votes in the Police Department:- (1) coal, oil, &c., for launches, $1,300.00; (2) purchase and repair of boats, $700.00; total, $2,00,00,"
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The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-With regard to the first item, the increase there is on account of the extra use of a launch for quarau. tine duty by day and night and of extra launch on plague daty by day to re- move the dead and sick to Kowloon and on account of the price of coal. Item 2 follows on the first, the heavier work of the launch necessitating more repairs.
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Ou Mr. Pollock resuming his seat Mr. Francis informed His Lordship that he had already offered by way of settlement $1,500 and costs, but the other side could not see their way to accept the offer.
His Lordship was of opinion that this offer might form a fair basis on which to argue for a settlement.
The matter was subsequently gone into in chambers. Ultimately plaintiffs agreed to ac- cept $1,560, the cost of suit, and their passages to Manila.
His Lordship gave judgment to this effect.
31st August.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE MR. JUSTICE WISE (PUISNE JUDGE).
CLAIM FOR demurrage,
M. A. A. de Souza and Co., of Stanley Street, ̈` merchants, sought to recover from Bradley and Co., of Queen's Road, merchants, the sum of $300 for the demurrage of the steamer Astrid, chartered by plaintiffs to defendants and kept on demurrage by defendants under a charter party dated the 12th day of April, 1898, and plaintiffs further claimed their costs of suit.
Mr. H. L. Dennys appeared for plaintiffs and Mr. Masters for defendants.
WATER RATES AT SHAUKIWAN The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said-I rise to propose the following resolution :- "Be it resolved by the Legislative Council that the percentages on the valuations of tenements, payable as rates, within the area bounded on the north by a straight line passing through a
In their petition plaintiffs say that on the point on the Victoria and Slankiwan Road 500
12th of April they were and are still the sub- feet northwards of where the northern boundary
charterers of the Norwegian steamship Astrid of Shankiwan marine lot No. 1 crosses the said
under a charter dated February 22nd. On road, thence drawn in an easterly direction
April 12th, wl.eu the Astrid was at Kutchinotau through a point on the Shaukiwan and Akung. The following recommendation of H: E. the loading for Hongkong, a charter party was en- Ngam Road 500 feet northwards of the north-Acting Governor was somitted:-"To vote a tered into between defendants and plaintiffs by west corner of the Shaukiwan Police Station. sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) in aid of the which it was agreed among other things that the and extended in each direction to meet the following votes:-(1) maintenance of water-Astrid, after completion of the voyages referred eastern and western boundaries; on the west, works, city of Victoria and bill district. $3,000; to in the charter party, should proceed with all south, and east by a line 500 feet inland from (2) road from Plantation Road to Magazine convenient speed to Moji and receive from de- fendants or their agents a full and complete the centre of the present Victoria and Shauki-Gap, $3,000; total, $6,000.” wan Road and the present main street of Shau- The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY said- cargo of coals and forthwith proceed to Hong- kong and there deliver her cargo, giving the kiwan, where not already so altered be altered In regard to these two items. the first is re-
The sum was rofed.
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